The scorching temperatures don’t just leave people hot and bothered. They can also affect our iPhone or Android phones.
Millions of Americans living in the Northeast faced excessive heat warnings on Sunday as temperatures hit near-record highs.
Boston and Philadelphia broke daily heat records on Sunday, with both cities hitting highs of 99 degrees.
Using an iPhone or Android phone outdoors can put pressure on the devices, causing them to shut down if the phone gets too hot.
Obviously, you will feel your smartphone getting hotter to the touch when using it. But what can make smartphones heat up faster in hot weather? And what can you do to cool your phone?
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What makes your phone heat up?
The iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy line of smartphones are designed to operate from 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apple notes that using your iPhone in very hot conditions “may permanently shorten battery life.”
No surprise here, but hot weather plays a big part in how hot your phone gets. Whether it’s sitting in your pocket, in your car, or near direct sunlight, higher temperatures cause your phone to heat up faster.
Charging your device can also cause it to heat up a bit, either wirelessly or via a cord.
Apps or games that hog your phone’s graphics or processing capabilities cause it to run hot, as do some features like GPS or high-quality video.
How do I know if my smartphone is heating up?
Your iPhone or Galaxy phone will give signals that it is starting to reach a point where it is getting too hot.
Samsung notes that “access to certain features/functions may be temporarily blocked in order to protect the device” when it crosses heat thresholds.
On the iPhone, Apple said the device will make several tweaks, including slower charging, darker displays, and the flashlight and flash for photos are disabled.
Once your phone gets too hot, it will show warnings that the device needs to cool down before you can use it again. iPhone and Galaxy models will still allow you to make emergency calls during this time.
How to cool your phone
If you end up with an overheating phone, follow these steps to cool it down so it works again:
Turn off your phone. It’s not exactly the most practical solution, especially if you need your phone at the time. But giving your phone a power outage can help it cool down.
Keep it away from heat. If your phone is exposed to direct sunlight, place it in the shade. If it’s in your car, take it out, as the temperature inside a hot car can rise quickly.
Remove the case. Removing the case from your phone can help.
Avoid hot tasks. Certain activities will cause your phone to warm up faster, including streaming videos, playing graphics-rich games, or using GPS-based navigation apps.
Take a break from charging. Unplug your phone or remove it from a wireless charging hub while it tries to cool down.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: iPhone too hot? How to cool your smartphone in summer